National Parks

Established in November 1872, Fort Abraham Lincoln was part of a larger complex of military forts throughout the United States. Named in memory of President Lincoln, the fort protected railroad workers as they continued westward construction of the Northern Pacific Railroad. Famous figures associated with the fort include George Custer; his Arikara scout Bloody Knife; and individuals from the Oceti Sakowin, what in the 19th century was called the Great Sioux Nation, including Rain-in-the-Face, Long Soldier, and Thunder Hawk. In the late 1870s, the fort also served as a place for Nez Perce POWs. In 1891, the fort was decommissioned. The nonprofit Fort Abraham Lincoln Foundation spearheaded reconstruction in the 1980s. Several earth lodges from On-A-Slant were also built, and world-class interpretive programming was developed.

Gateway to the South. Home of the Kentucky Derby and Churchill Downs. Louisville has a rich history beginning with the city's discovery by General George Rogers Clark.   The city played an important role in the Civil War, and during the Gilded Age, it became the Bourbon Capital of the World. During World War I, the city hosted 47,500 troops at Camp Zachary Taylor. During World War II, the United States Naval Ordnance Plant contributed to the war effort, which made rounds for big guns during the late war. Author Bryan S. Bush takes the reader on a journey to explore and discover the history of Louisville through the historic sites and locations from far past to the present day.

The events of the Battle of Shiloh are characterized by acts of bravery, sacrifice, and uncommon valor. After the Civil War, northerners and southerners alike were compelled by another sense of duty at Shiloh the duty of remembrance. Established just over three decades after the battle ended, Shiloh National Park gave veteran groups from states across the country an opportunity to memorialize their regiment's specific contributions. Each monument, like the soldiers themselves, has a story to tell. A History and Guide to the Monuments of Shiloh National Park recounts the history of the park's creation and the monuments' construction. Join former Shiloh National Park interpreter and seasonal guide Stacy W. Reeves as she charts the paths through the park's grounds and traces its fascinating history.